The Press., 1887-03-10
THE SOUTHWEST sTRIKEs.

Chairman Curtin of the select committee created by the house of representatives to inquire into the cause and extent of the western railroad strikes, has submitted the report of that committee. After reviewing the losses sustained by the railroad com panies, the strikers and the community at large, which aggregated many millions of dollars, the report says: "With regard to the general question of the right of workmen to combine for determining with their employers the terms on which only they will consent to work for them, pro vided the combination be perfectly volun- tary and full liberty be left to all other workmen to undertake to work and no ob- struction be placed in the way df employ CTS resorting elsewhere in this country In search of labor, we think there is no ground in justice or sound policy for with holding such q right from the workmen. It cannot be doubted that demand, back cd by the resolution of large body of workingmen to. decline work, If the de- mRnd be not acceded to, comes with more force than that of an isolated workman. The workmen may reasonably claim 10 be allowed any advantage which they can de- rive from snch concerted action in bar. gaining with their employers from time to time as to,the terms on which they will dispose of their labor. But upon the same principle, and for precisely similar req son, while conceding to such workmen as desire to exercise it. an extended right to combine against their employers, especial care should be tal1en that an equal right be secured to those workmen who desire Ito keep aloof from the combination and dispose of their labor with perfect individ- ual freedom. The workmen who think 1t for their advantage to combine together in the disposal of their labor are no more justified in constraining any other work man who does not desire to enter such combination and bring his labor into the common stock with theirs, than an associ- ation of capitalists are in combining to ad- vance prices or rates of transportation to be paid by the general public. There can be no doubt that the concentration of wealth and power and the expressions which have occurred, as shown in the evi- dence taken, have promoted the unrest of labor. This is painfully appafeit. Wpat- ever remedy will give the proper prptes. tion to the capital invested in the railroads of the country and, at the same time, pro- tect their employees from injustice and op- precision, your committee propose that they shall together as single instrument of our interstate commerce., be looked up- on as the servants of the people of the United States, and as such be regulated and protected by law. Whatever may bo the defects of the interstate commerce law, an enlightened commission, soon to be ap- pointed, will recommend prompt legisla- tion to give the protection which is needed to those who are interested only in the regular and proper operation and manage ment of the railroads. A majority of yonr committee cannot believe that arbitration can be effective, for the reason that there must be two parties to the arbitration, and either may decline, and when disturbances occur it would not be effective in immedi- ately redressing wrongs or restoring the means of transit of persons and property to the people of the country" .,. "
 The above report, like the mass of news paper editorials on the labor question, is n very adroit lodging of the issue. Every body knows all the facts stated, and now what is the remedy2 Pickwick's advice was to always shout with the mob. "But suppose there are two mobs ?" he was ask- ed. "Then shout with the largest The fact is that the labor agitators are large mob and represent votes, so there are plen- to proffer them their valuable champion, ship in exchange for political support. Before we can have intelligent action on the labor question we must snake dema- l gogism out of it.